Simulating flexible flap wave energy converters: A comprehensive approach

Flap Wave Energy Converters (WECs) are characterized by a basic, but effective design, harnessing the pitching motion of a rigid-body flap to generate electricity. These devices, usually installed near the shore, are equipped with a hydraulic power take-off (PTO) system. In this context, the paper presents an innovative flap wave energy converter, distinguished by a main body made of flexible materials like silicone rubber. This design cleverly merges the foundational architecture of flap WEC with the compliance and enhanced controllability of a flexible structure, marking a significant advancement in the technology. Such a novel design encapsulates the initial pneumatic transformation principle within the flap system, thereby avoiding direct contact with seawater and enhancing the device’s adaptability. Hence, this paper aims to introduce a preliminary modeling approach to identify the main dynamic properties of variable shape WECs, highlighting changes in the system’s dynamic properties, enabling the definition of a family of linear models by subdividing the system evolution into a series of snapshots.